Opera focusing on Nazi atrocities to premiere in Austrian parliament on Holocaust memorial day

VIENNA - An opera focusing on Nazi atrocities against children will premiere next year at an unusual venue — Austria's parliament.

An official involved in the staging says the opera will be performed for the first time at the parliament on Jan. 25, marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

"Spiegelground. Dead Children Like Scattered Dolls," deals with the killings of hundreds of children considered genetically, intellectually or physically inferior by the Nazis by medical personnel of a Vienna psychiatric ward. It is composed by Peter Androsch.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because she was not authorized to discuss the project ahead of a formal announcement.

Many Austrians were fervent Nazis but the country has made significant progress in dealing with its role in crimes committed under Hitler.